Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The University of Dubuque (21-15 overall, 16-5 IIAC) baseball team swept their final weekend series to claim the program's first-ever Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) regular season championship.

Heading into the final weekend of IIAC regular season play there were numerous scenarios that presented possibilities for the 2018 championship going to any one of three schools; Coe, Dubuque, and Wartburg. The Spartans kept their focus knowing they had to control their scenario, and that is exactly what they did. Dubuque dominated their weekend series with Nebraska Wesleyan, winning game one by a score of 17-1, game two 19-3, and closing the series out with a 9-1 victory. 

"This team has developed a great culture and really enjoys practicing and playing together," said Dubuque Head Coach Paul Wyczawski. "Our seniors, Will Doherty, Dalton Garst, Tyler Lewan, Tyler Imrich, and Doug Van Dyke have done a great job of leading and developing a positive team environment!"

When Wyczawski was asked what this championship means to the University of Dubuque baseball program, he had the following to say. "First of all, it's really been a thrill! To win the first conference baseball championship in school history (68 years of baseball)  is quite an achievement for our guys. Second, it lets our players and recruits know that we've arrived, and can play at a championship level against outstanding competition.  Lastly, winning the conference title really validates all the hard work the players, coaches and administration have put in over the past six years. Our administrative support is fantastic at UD, and our facility improvements have had a tremendous impact on our success!"

Wyczawski had the following to say when asked what this team means to the University of Dubuque baseball program. "I thought last year's team, which was my first recruiting class, really laid the foundation for the program by finishing second in the league. This year's team picked right up where the 2017 team left off, and were able to close out the regular season with seven straight wins to earn the title. Their legacy will live on as the team that broke the championship barrier, and set the standard for future squads."

The Spartans celebrate their 2018 IIAC Championship with the memory of their assistant coach, Luke Kalb, who passed away from a rare form of liver cancer on Feb. 10, 2018, at the forefront of their minds. 

Dubuque has earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming IIAC Tournament, with the tournament winner receiving the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships. As conference champions, Dubuque receives a first round bye and will play on Thursday, May 10 at 5:00pm vs. the winner of the No. 4 Loras/No. 5 Luther.

"This looks to be a really competitive tournament again this year, as evidenced by how close all the teams were in the final conference standings," coach Wyczawski said. "It will be an exciting weekend of baseball, and I expect to see a lot of close games."

Three-seeded Coe College will face six-seeded Buena Vista in the opening round. The winner of that game will play the tournament's No. 2 seed Wartburg, who also receives a first-round bye. 

The NCAA Division III baseball central region is held at GCS Ballpark, Sauget, Ill., May 17 - 21, with the regional champion advancing on to Appleton, Wis for the Championships at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium May 25-30, 2018.
 

Thursday
Game 1 11:00a #4 Loras vs. #5 Luther at Daniels Park
Game 2 11:00a #3 Coe vs. #6 Buena Vista at Veterans Stadium
Game 3 2:00p Game 2 Winner vs. #2 Wartburg
Game 4 5:00p Game 1 Winner vs. #1 Dubuque
Game 5 8:00p Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser

Friday
Game 6 1:00p Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner
Game 7 4:00p Game 5 Winner vs. Lower Seeded Loser of Games 3 & 4
Game 8 7:00p Game 7 Winner vs. Higher Seeded Loser of Games 3 & 4
(Exception: If one of the Game 3 or 4 Losers already has had a bye, that team will play in Game 7, regardless of seed.)

Saturday
Game 9 10:00a Game 8 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser
Game 10 1:00p Game 6 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner
Game 11 4:00p Game 6 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner (if necessary)
[Sunday is a permissible rain date.]